Morton Reveals Criminal Past

The Minority Report star spent most of her childhood living in institutions in Nottingham, England.

And Morton, 31, has revealed she was tormented by bullies throughout her youth - and when she finally retaliated it led to a conviction and detention in a youth attendance centre at the age of 14.

The two times Oscar-nominee confronted the bullies and held a knife to an older girl's throat, but was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

She was eventually convicted of a lesser charge of making threats to kill.

Morton says, "I was physically abused and I retaliated. (But) the only person I hurt in the end was myself.

"I didn't touch her - wouldn't have touched her - but the police restrained and then arrested me.

"I was locked in a cell for three days. It was terrible. I just sat there thinking, I don't want this life - I'm not a petty criminal. I'm not a thug. I was so ashamed of myself."

The star believes her 18-week sentence helped steer her away from a life of crime, and in future she hopes to take a break from acting to work with children in care.

Morton was first placed in care as a baby and, after a brief spell living with her father, spent the rest of her youth in a variety of foster and care homes.